Vigo, with about 295,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in Galicia, in the province of Pontevedra. It stands on the Ría de Vigo, a deep sea inlet sheltered at its mouth by the Cíes Islands. It is an industrial and port city: it has Europe's leading fishing port and a large car factory.
History
Settled in hill-fort and Roman times, Vigo long remained a small fishing village, attacked repeatedly by pirates and English fleets, including Francis Drake's. In 1702 the Battle of Rande was fought in the ría, sinking a Spanish fleet laden with American silver and giving rise to the legend of sunken treasure mentioned by Jules Verne in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. In 1809 it was the first city in Spain to free itself from Napoleon's troops, celebrated every year with the Reconquista festival. In the 20th century it grew fast thanks to fishing and industry.
What to see
- The Casco Vello, the old town, with the co-cathedral of Santa María and Praza da Constitución.
- Rúa da Pedra, where the ostreiras open fresh oysters to eat standing with a glass of Albariño.
- Monte do Castro, a park with the remains of the fortress and a Galician hill fort, overlooking the ría.
- The Galician Sea Museum, MARCO, the contemporary art museum, and the Quiñones de León Museum in Castrelos park.
- The port promenade and the fishermen's quarter of O Berbés.
The Cíes Islands
The Cíes Islands, part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, are three wild islands with cliffs, pine woods and dazzling white beaches such as Praia de Rodas, often listed among the world's most beautiful. Boats from Vigo take about 40 minutes, from Easter to September; daily visitor numbers are capped and you need an online permit as well as a boat ticket.
Beaches, festivals and food
The city beaches of Samil, O Vao and A Fontaíña. At Christmas Vigo is famous for its spectacular lights, among Spain's biggest displays. Food: oysters, mussels, octopus, clam empanada, fresh fish and Rías Baixas wines.
Getting there
Peinador airport is about 9 km away. Vigo has high-speed trains to Santiago, A Coruña and Madrid, and trains to Porto in Portugal.